Disconnect fixture

ABSTRACT

AN ATTACH-DETACH FIXTURE INCLUDING MEANS ENABLING THE FIXTURE TO BE RELEASABLY SECURED TO OVERHEAD STRUCTURE WHILE RETAINING LARGE COMPONENTS SUCH AS PLATES, PANELS ETC. THEREON IN A RELEASABLE, SUSPENDED AND LOCKED RELATION INCLUDING MEANS PRECLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF ELECTROLYTIC ACTION BETWEEN COMPONENTS CARRIED BY THE FIXTURE AND OVERHEAD STRUCTURE TO WHICH THE FIXTURE IS ATTACHED.

States Patent I inventors Thomas M. Frederick Palos Verdes; Leslie W. Baxter, Cypress, Calif. Filed Jan. 12, 1970 Patented Mar. 2, 1971 Assignee Northrop Corporation Beverly Hills, Calif.

CONN lECT-DISCONNECT FIXTURE 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 248/317, 118/500, 248/72, 248/228, 294/85 llnt. Cl B66d 3/00 Field of Search 248/317,

1 1 memo [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,160,194 11/1915 Painter 248/72 1,686,174 10/1928 Rauschenberger (l l8/502UX) 2,422,865 6/1947 Tucker (194/85UX) 3,084,893 4/1963 Ruth 248/228 3,376,156 4/1968 Witaker et a1. l18/635X Primary Examiner-Roy D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-J. Franklin Foss Attorneys Harold L. Fox and Willard M. Graham ABSTRACT: An attach-detach fixture including means enabling the fixture to be releasably secured to overhead structure while retaining large components such as plates, panels etc. thereon in a releasable, suspended and locked relation including means precluding the possibility of electrolytic action between components carried by the fixture and overhead structure to which the fixture is attached.

The present invention pertains generally to fixtures and more particularly to attach-detach fixtures, adapted to be releasably secured to overhead structure, for example -the lower flange of an l-beam or the like and incorporates means enabling components to be locked thereon and transferred from one overhead structure to another.

Frequently it becomes expedient to transfer fixturesand components carried thereby from fixed structure to transportation vehicles and vice versa without removing components therefrom. The foregoing is particularly true in the aircraft industry and especially in situations in which large skins or panels are carried by the subject fixture.

The fixture as disclosed herein is similar tothe fixture disclosed in patent application Ser.-No."8'20,954 filed May I, 1969. The present attach-detach fixture includes a fixture and component securing means. The main difference between'the present fixture and the fixture 'refer redto in the previous disclosure (Ser. No. 820,954) resides in the manner in which the component-securing means isretained in and released from its locked position. The component-securing means includes a flat rectangular metallic member having extended and retracted positions. In the extended position of the metallic member it contacts the end portions of the component'securing means precluding opening thereof andinits retracted position it allows the component-securing means'tobe opened; thereby releasing components carried by the attach-detach fixture. The metallic member, in its extended 'position, also precludes opening and release of the fixture-securing means. Also the body of the fixture constitutes a dielectric material thus precluding electrolytic action betweencomponentscarried by the attach-detach fixture and overhead structure tomay be moved or transferred from one overhead structure toanother. Another object is to disclose an attachdetach fixture including means effectively preventing 'electrolytical action between components carried'thereby, and overhead structure, normally occuring during chemical baths and thelike.

2 substantially equal to the thickness of the body portion 12. The member 17 is fixedly securedto an edge of the portion 12 '(right edge in FIG. 1) while member 18 is pivotally secured to the opposite edge of the portion'l2 substantially as shown in FIG. 1. The upper end portions of members 17 and 18 are provided with-recesses or notched as indicated by numeral 15. Member 18 has upright and inclinedpositions as indicated by solid and dotted construction in FIG. ll.

Referring further to FIG. 1, it-will be seen'that certain of the notches l5'fit around the lower flange of an I-beam 20 at such time as the member l8is in its upright position. The solid line positions of the members 17 and? 18 are referred to as the closed or locked position of the fixture securing means 14 while the dotted'line position of member 18 and the solid line position of member 17 is referred to as the open or released position. i

A cam member 19 is mounted adjacent and directly below the lower edge of the member 18. Bearing means for the cam member is provided by a pin member 2l'extending through the body portion 12. A handle 22-isprovided for actuating the cam member 19 from a position inzwhich it applies maximum pressurelmaximum eccentricity) on the member 18, and a position in which minimum pressure (minimum eccentricity) is applied to the member 18. Thus it will be understood that maximum pressure'will be applied tothe member 18 at such times as the handle 22 is in its solid line position and minimum pressure at such time as the handle 22 is in its dotted line posiby solid line construction in FIG. 2. The cam member 19 and handle 22 are retained in the position just described in that the member 19 is urged slightly to: an over center position, the cam member 19 and handle 22'are retained in the dotted line positionby a detent member 24 mounted in the body portion Another object is to provide an attach-detach fixture which is positive in operation, economical to manufacture, and free of malfunctioning tendencies. I

Although the characteristic features of the present invention are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, the

invention itself, also the manner in which itrnay be carriedout, will be better understood by referring-to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and side elevationalviews, respectively, of the attach-detach fixture disclosed herein.

Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the attach-detach fixture 11 is shown. Major components of the fixture 11 includes a body portion 12 and-fixture and component securing means 14 and 16, respectively.

The body portion 12, substantially of rectangular configuration in cross section, is fabricated of a dielectric material for example laminated cloth, Micarta, or the like,insuring electrical insuring electrical insulation between components carried by the fixture 11 and overhead structure towhich the fixture is attached.

The fixture-securing means 14 includes a pair of channelshaped members 17 and 18, the respective widths of which are 12. Thus it will be seen that the notches 15 in the members 17 and 18 will be urged into embracing relation with the lower flange of the l-beam member- 20 at such time as the member 18 is urged to its straight down position by thecam member 19. The members '17 and 18 may be released from the l-beam member by the reverse operation of that just described.

The component-securing means 16 includestow channellike members 26 and 27 which fit. around the lower. portion of the'body portion 12 substantially as shown in FIG. 1. The

member 26 (left member in FIG. 1') is fixedly secured to the lower portion of. the'body portion 12 which the member 27 is pivotally secured thereto. The lower portions-of the side are retained thereon by the pin member 28 and may be removed therefromat such time as member 27 is positioned in its dotted line position (FIG. 1

The securing means 16 includesametallic slide member 29 functioning to lock the securing means 16 in its closed position. By referring further to FIG 1, it will be seen that the upper side edges of the members. 26 and 27, as mounted on the body portion 12, have a parallel relation and are located in the same horizontal plane at such times as the above members 26 and 27 are in their closed position.

The slide member 29 is mounted on the body portion 12 by means of a pin member 31 which passes through a slot 32 extending longitudinally of the member 29 substantially as shown in FIG. 1. As mounted, an edge of the member 29 has a flush and contacting. relation with the top edges of the memhers 26 and 27 and thereby precludes opening thereof when in its extended position as shown by solid construction in FIG. 1.

A notch 33, of triangular configuration, is provided in the lower edge of the member 29, functioning to allow the member 27 to be pivotally moved to its open position at such time as the member 29 is in its retracted position as indicated by dotted line construction.

By referring further to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the cam member 19, as well as the member 27 and member 18 will be retained in a position maintaining the securing means 14 and 16 in their locked position at such times as the member 29 is in its extended position. Upon moving member 29 to its retracted position it will be seen that the member 27 may be moved to its dotted line or release position thereby enabling components to be removed from the pin member 28. Also the handle 22 may be rotated in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 2) thereby making possible the movement of the member 18 to its inclined position. Thus the fixture-securing means 14 may be removed from the flange of the I-beam 20.

Detent means 34 is provided, mounted in the body portion 12 and contacting the aft side of the slide member 29,, functioning to retain the member 29 in its extended or retracted positions.

While a preferred embodiment'of the attach-detach fixture is shown and described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown herein, rather the invention embraces any modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. in an attach-detach fixture adapted to be rigidly and fixedly secured to and released from overhead structure including means functioning to releasably secure components thereon, the combination comprising:

a. an elongated body portion fabricated of a dielectric material which body portion is rectangular in cross section and is symmetrically shaped about a longitudinal axis thereof;

b. a fixture-securing means mounted on afirst end of said body portion comprising a pair of elongated channelshaped members fabricated of sheet metal and having back and side portions and being symmetrically shaped with respect to respective longitudinal axes thereof; said side portions having notches formed therein;

. one of said channel-shaped members having a fixed relation on said one end with said longitudinal axis thereof having a parallel relation with said longitudinal axis of said body portion;

e. The other of said channel-shaped members being pivotally mounted on said one end portion for movement between inclined and parallel positions in which the longitudinal axis thereof has inclined and parallel relations,

respectively, with respect to the longitudinal axis of said body portion; and

f. cam means mounted on said body portion directly below the back portion of the other of said channel-shaped members functioning when actuated to urge said other of said channel-shaped members from said inclined to said parallel position whereby a portion of overhead structure is received in said notches and said fixture is rigidly and fixedly secured to the overhead structure.

2. In apparatus as set forth in claim 1:

a. including component-securing means comprising a second pair of elongated channellike members symmetrically shaped about a respective longitudinal axes thereof;

b. one of said second channellike members being fixedly mounted on the other end of said body portion with the longitudinal axis thereof having a parallel relation with respect to the longitudinal axis of said body portion;

c. the other of said second channellike members being pivotally mounted on said other end of said body portion for manual movement between inclined and parallel positrons;

d. as mounted the respective outer'end portions of said one and the other of said second channellike members being positioned in a common plane normal to the longitudinal axis of said body portion; and

. a platelike slide member mounted on said body portion with a side edge thereof contacting the outer end portions of said one and the other of said second pair of channellike members for manual movement between extended and retracted positions whereby movement of the other ofsaid channellike members is precluded from movement from said parallel to inclined position thereof at such times as said slide member is in said extended position.

3. In apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which the edge of said slide member contacting the outer end portions of said one and the other of said second channellike members having a triangular shaped notch formed therein functioning to allow the other of said second channel members to be moved from said parallel to said inclined position.

4. In apparatus as set forth in claim 3:

a. in which said cam member constitutes a cylindrical member having first and second positions in which said cam member presents maximum and minimum eccen- 1 tricity, respectively; 7

b. an elongated handle member secured to said cylindrical member whereby said cylindrical member may be moved between said first and second positions; and

c. said slide member precluding movement of said handle member from said second to said first position thereof at such times as said slide member is in said extended position thereof. 

2. In apparatus as set forth in claim 1: a. including component-securing means comprising a second pair of elongated channellike members symmetrically shaped about a respective longitudinal axes thereof; b. one of said second channellike members being fixedly mounted on the other end of said body portion with the longitudinal axis thereof having a parallel relation with respect to the longitudinal axis of said body portion; c. the other of said second channellike members being pivotally mounted on said other end of said body portion for manual movement between inclined and parallel positions; d. as mounted the respective outer end portions of said one and the other of said second channellike members being positioned in a common plane normal to the longitudinal axis of said body portion; and e. a platelike slide member mounted on said body portion with a side edge thereof contacting the outer end portions of said one and the other of said second pair of channellike members for manual movement between extended and retracted positions whereby movement of the other of said channellike members is precluded from movement from said parallel to inclined position thereof at such times as said slide member is in said extended position.
 3. In apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which the edge of said slide member contacting the outer end portions of said one and the other of said second channellike members having a triangular shaped notch formed therein functioning to allow the other of said second channel members to be moved from said parallel to said inclined position.
 4. In apparatus as set forth in claim 3: a. in which said cam member constitutes a cylindrical member having first and second positions in which said cam member presents maximum and minimum eccentricity, respectively; b. an elongated handle member secured to said cylindrical member whereby said cylindrical member may be moved between said first and second positions; and c. said slide member precluding movement of said handle member from said second to said first position thereof at such times as said slide member is in said extended position thereof. 